Rep. Prince Chestnut

Maddy summaryHR 360 is a resolution that formally commends Ms. Jawana Jackson and The Henry Ford Museum for their work in relocating the historic Jackson Home to Michigan. The bill recognizes the home's significance as a site where civil rights leaders planned the 1965 Voting Rights Act and acknowledges the successful 1,060-mile move of the house and its 9,000 artifacts to Greenfield Village. This resolution serves as an official expression of appreciation rather than a law that changes policy or affects public funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes female genital mutilation as a criminal offense in Alabama, targeting individuals who perform or authorize the procedure on girls under 19 years of age. The law defines the crime to include various procedures such as cutting, excising, or burning genital tissue for nonmedical purposes and imposes Class B felony penalties on those who commit the act, allow it to happen under their custody, or remove a girl from the state for this purpose. The legislation explicitly states that religious or cultural beliefs do not provide a legal defense and that minors cannot consent to the procedure, while allowing exceptions only for medically necessary procedures performed by licensed physicians. The bill does not change medical liability standards and will take effect on June 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Bill of Rights in the Classroom Act, requires Alabama public schools to display the first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution in every classroom and on local school district websites. The State Department of Education must create a standardized version of these amendments by January 2027, ensuring the text is presented without any commentary or interpretation. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, parents can report if a school fails to comply with these display requirements, and they may seek legal action if the issue is not resolved within 30 days. The law also allows courts to award attorney fees to parents who successfully enforce these provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 468 removes restrictions preventing local elected or appointed officials from serving on certain municipal boards. Specifically, it eliminates the current rule barring municipal officeholders from serving on municipal planning commissions, and removes the prohibition against state or local officials serving on boards of water, sewer, or fire protection authorities. This change would allow mayors, council members, and other local officials to participate directly on these commissions and authorities without resigning their current positions. The bill amends Alabama Code sections related to municipal commissions and local service authorities to reflect this policy change.

Maddy summaryThis resolution expresses the Alabama House of Representatives' mourning for the death of Dr. Lynda Blackmon Lowery (December 24, 2025) and honors her legacy as a civil rights leader. It commemorates her historic role as the youngest participant in the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights march at age 15, her advocacy for social justice, authorship of her memoir, and lifelong community service. The resolution serves as a formal tribute to her life and impact, with no policy changes or direct effects on constituents.

Maddy summaryHB 516 amends Alabama's consumer protection law to prohibit businesses from using computer interactions (like chatbots) that deceive consumers into believing they are communicating with a human. This directly affects businesses using automated customer service systems and protects consumers from being misled during commercial transactions. The bill adds a specific provision to the existing list of unlawful deceptive practices, making it illegal to design interactions that reasonably cause consumers to believe they are speaking with a person. It does not require businesses to identify AI interactions but bans the deceptive practice itself. The bill is currently pending review by the House Commerce and Small Business Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 525 adds any independent historically Black college or university (HBCU) located in Selma, Alabama, to the list of institutions eligible for the Alabama Student Grant Program. This change directly affects students attending qualifying Selma HBCUs, allowing them to receive state grants to cover tuition and related expenses. The bill amends existing law to include these institutions under the definition of "approved institution" in the grant program, which currently funds students at specific Alabama colleges. It does not alter student eligibility requirements but expands which schools can participate. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law) commending the Robert C. Hatch High School Boys Basketball Team for winning the 2025 Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) Class 1A State Championship. It formally honors the team, coaches, and support staff for achieving the program's 11th state title, a record in AHSAA boys basketball history. The resolution celebrates their victory, including specific game details and standout players, but contains no policy changes or binding requirements. It serves solely as a ceremonial expression of recognition by the Alabama House of Representatives.

Maddy summaryHB 470 establishes the Government Information Privacy Protection Act to safeguard personally identifiable information (PII) held by state and federal agencies. It requires state agencies to obtain written consent from individuals and the state before sharing PII with federal agencies, mandates annual privacy training for state employees handling PII, and sets strict vendor requirements (including security ratings and prohibitions on unauthorized sharing). Violations could result in civil penalties up to $50,000 per incident for individuals or criminal penalties up to $500,000 for state employees in repeated violations. An independent Oversight Board will monitor compliance and report annually to the legislature, starting in 2026.

Maddy summaryThis is a commemorative resolution (HR 116), not a legislative bill with policy changes. It formally commends Eliza Jane Manuel for her role in the Civil Rights Movement, specifically recognizing her contributions during the 1963-1965 voting rights marches in Selma, Alabama. The resolution honors her work at Brown Chapel (including meal preparation for marchers) and her community service, linking her efforts to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It will be presented at the Fourth Annual Foot Soldiers Celebration, symbolically acknowledging her as a "formidable force" in securing voting rights. No new laws, funding, or direct effects on constituents are created.